SALVAGE PROCEDURES FOR WET ITEMS
While some records of history will disappear as a result of natural disasters, others can be saved. The Minnesota Historical Society has conservators and other knowledgeable staff to help people identify what can be saved.
However, resources may be lost if assessment and restorative action are not taken immediately. These situations may seem discouraging at first, but with careful planning and sensitive attention, even severely damaged personal items, records and buildings may be returned to their former quality.
Minnesotans can receive information on restoring different kinds of belongings and properties. The Society will advise individuals with questions as varied as how to save a family Bible, how to remove mud stains from an heirloom rocker, or whether a silt-soaked wedding gown can be salvaged. The information below includes recommendations for saving damaged family collectibles, paper, books, photographs, textiles, and ceramic, wood or metal items.
Disaster Response and Recovery Resources
Emergency Salvage Procedures for Wet Items
All links are to PDF files.
- Archaeological Artifacts
- Books: Cloth or Paper Covers
- Books: Leather or Vellum Covers
- Inorganics: Ceramics, Glass, Metals, Stone
- Leather and Rawhide
- Magnetic Media: Computer Diskettes
- Magnetic Media: Reel-to-Reel Tapes
- Microfiche
- Microfilm and Motion Picture Film
- Organics: Bone, Hair, Horn, Ivory, Shell
- Paintings on Canvas
- Paper: Coated
- Paper: Framed or Matted, Preparation for Drying
- Paper: Uncoated
- Photographs and Transparencies
- Record Albums
- Scrapbooks
- Textiles and Clothing
- Textiles: Costume Accessories
- Vellum and Parchment: Bindings and Documents
- Wood
Additional Emergency Resources
- Disaster Salvage Tip Sheet (pdf)
- Salvage Information at a Glance
- Salvage Operations for Water Damaged Archival Collections: A Second Glance
- Emergency Call List Form (pdf)
- Initial Situation Report (pdf)
- Disaster Re-entry Checklist (pdf)
- Emergency Preparedness Plan (pdf)
- Disaster Resources on the
Web
